Main

Allexer Namundjembo The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement in the Otjozondjupa region says the government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought and act quickly to address the problems faced by magistrates. AR regional activist Johannes Johannes said the movement supports magistrates nationwide who plan to strike today.  The magistrates demand dignity, fairness and better working conditions. “The government must stop treating the judiciary as an afterthought. These are men and women who uphold justice daily under impossible conditions. Their grievances are valid and must be addressed urgently,” he said. Johannes said the continuous postponement of cases and poor court…

Renthia Kaimbi The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has supplied fruits to retailers without receiving payment and leased state land for as little as N$1 per month.  The Windhoek Observer uncovered that internal documents and spoken sources point to weak governance and misuse of public assets meant to drive industrial growth. At the centre of the issue is Naute Farm in the south of the country, known for grape and date farming.  Sources told the Windhoek Observer that Nida has been supplying fruits to certain retailers for years without collecting payments.  Estimates place the outstanding debts from one arrangement between…

Renthia Kaimbi A trip undertaken by Henties Bay municipal officials to Lüderitz cost the council N$200 000.  Documents obtained by the Windhoek Observer show that the delegation was made up of eleven officials, including seven councillors, the acting chief executive officer Ignasia Neis, strategic executive for technical services Emely Tjombumbi, council administrator Erenstine Seibes and property officer Erich Gaoseb.  The group travelled to Lüderitz from 28 October to 1 November 2025.  The stated purpose of the trip was to meet with the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy.  Community members discovered the trip after visiting the council offices…

Allexer Namundjembo The Engineering Council of Namibia's (ECN) new board members have not yet started their work, a memo issued by the council’s registrar, Charles Mukwaso, revealed on Wednesday.  The members were appointed in August by works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi.  In the memo, Mukwaso said key functions are still being handled by Nekundi.  “The registrar is inundated with queries and enquiries into applications, particularly full registration, among other matters. I have waited long in hope that these pending matters would be expeditiously resolved, but the accumulating queries have led me to issue this,” the memo reads. Mukwaso asserted…

Chamwe Kaira The minister of finance, Ericah Shafudah, says the redemption of Namibia’s US$750 million Eurobond marks a milestone in the country’s economic journey. On Tuesday, the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Namibia (BoN) announced that Namibia had successfully redeemed its second eurobond, valued at US$750 million (approximately N$13.9 billion).  The bond represents the largest single debt maturity in the country's history. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic foresight, and prudent debt management,” Shafudah said. Namibia first issued a eurobond in 2011 under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba at an interest rate of…

Justicia Shipena  The Presidency says Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister Frans Kapofi will provide stability and coordination in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.  President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Tuesday appointed Kapofi as the interim minister for the ministry. His appointment is temporary while the process of selecting a permanent minister continues. This comes after Nandi-Ndaitwah on Sunday dismissed former minister Natangue Ithete.  She confirmed that Ithete defied a presidential moratorium on oil deals.  The presidency said the measure reflects the president’s commitment to stability, continuity, and constitutional governance. It added that the goal is to keep all sectors of…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s takeover of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has sparked a debate over whether she overstepped constitutional limits by appointing herself to the position. Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula accused Nandi-Ndaitwah of violating the Namibian Constitution and the Assignment of Powers Act 4 of 1990.  He said Nandi-Ndaitwah’s move to take charge of the ministry after firing Natangue Ithete was “a gross violation” of her oath of office and the law. “The president must seriously consider whether she acted within the law by appointing herself as minister for mines and energy,…

Renthia Kaimbi President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has taken charge of the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy after firing Minister Natangue Ithete with immediate effect. The president's office announced the decision yesterday. The presidency stated that the decision was made in accordance with Article 32(6) of the Constitution.  The presidency thanked Ithete for his service and confirmed he will remain a member of parliament. It stated that the move reinforces its commitment to “sound governance, accountability, and the effective implementation of national priorities.” While the official statement did not explain the reasons for the dismissal, the decision has stirred debate in…

By Allexer Namundjembo President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed her administration’s ambitious goal of creating 500,000 jobs within five years, despite the government’s ongoing freeze on public service vacancies, a policy that continues to draw sharp criticism from the public and political commentators. Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum in Windhoek on Thursday, the President said her government was determined to drive “a new era of decisive, efficient, and results-driven governance” focused on economic growth, inclusivity, and employment.  The job creation pledge is anchored in the recently launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), themed “Fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness, and Resilience…

Renthia Kaimbi Health and Social Services Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao’s threat to sue the Windhoek Observer for defamation, both personally and through her brother’s law firm, has drawn sharp criticism from legal and governance experts. They say the move raises concerns about ethics, conflicts of interest, and possible misuse of office. Through Dr Weder, Kruger & Haikali Incorporated, Luvindao issued an undated letter of demand to the Windhoek Observer threatening legal action over an article published on 17 October. The report stated that she had urgently reached out to foreign diplomatic missions for emergency anti-malarial supplies amid low national stock…